50 Fun Travel Ideas for the New England Fall Foliage Season

Chocorua Lake. Photo credit:
Lawrence Carbonaro

Here are 50 New England fall foliage season destinations, attractions, restaurants and hotels for your trip planning purposes. Please feel free to add your favorite fall travel things to do in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont! Together, we can build an incredible list!

1. Pick apples at Belkin Lookout Farm, Natick, Mass:http://visitingnewengland.com/applepicking.html

2. Take a scenic New England fall foliage driving route:http://visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-questions.html 

3. Discover some of New England's best fall foliage in Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/maine-fall-foliage.html

4. Enjoy apple picking, apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream and a general store at Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/brookfield-orchards-apples.html

5. Visit the Shaker Hill Fall Apple Festival, Sept. 24-25 in Alfred, Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1554

6. Take a walk around Walden Pond in Concord, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1204

7. Get a taste of true apple cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=598

8. Take in the million dollar views at low-cost Pack Monadnock Summit, Peterborough, N.H.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=174

9. See an amazing pumpkin Patch at Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkins-saturate-rhode-island-farm.html

10. Ride the Conway Scenic Railway in Conway, N.H., for great views of the New England fall foliage season:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/conway-scenic-railway-offers-colorful.html

11. View some of the best New England fall foliage at the famous Kancamagus Scenic Byway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-foliage-leaf-peeping-at-kancamagus.html

12. Visit the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt., to experience an authentic New England country store in a beautiful town:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-vermont-fall-foliage-drive-and.html

13. Hike Mt. Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, Mass., for some splendid fall foliage views: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/mt-sugarloaf-in-south-deerfield-mass.html

14. Enjoy a peaceful day in Wrentham, Mass., northern Rhode Island, and the northeast Connecticut area:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/picturesque-rhode-island-fall-foliage.html

15. Dine at the scenic 1761 Old Mill in Westminster, Mass., for some excellent New England fare:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-fall-dining-at-1761-old-mill.html

16. Stay at the Stoweflake inn in beautiful Stowe, Vt.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/136140.html

17. Find a hidden gem of a walk at the Walpole Town Forest in Walpole, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-hidden-fall-foliage-travel-gem.html

18. Enjoy the sweeping views of the Mt. Washington Valley at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93025.html

19. Discover Vermont for its rural beauty:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/vermont-fall-travel-ideas.html

20. Take a scenic motorcycle fall foliage ride in Central Massachusetts and Northeast Connecticut:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/scenic-motorcycle-fall-foliage-ride-in.html

21. Visit Pleasant View Orchards, a classic roadside farm stand in Smithfield, R.I.: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/classic-new-england-roadside-farm-stand.html

22. Stay at the Bethel Inn, a charming resort in inland Bethel, Maine (the foliage is great here!) that has been serving the vacationing public since 1913:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/122358.html

23. Pick some apples at the Big Apple farm in Wrentham, Mass. This is an old-fashioned working American farm in business since 1950 and a rural community travel attraction on over 200 serene acres:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/old-fashioned-fall-fun-at-big-apple.html

24. Take in classic fall travel attractions at Franconia Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/return-to-franconia-state-park-in-new.html

25. Splurge on luxurious lodging at the Wheatleigh in Lenox (the Berkshire Mountains): http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/24124.html

26. Navigate a tricky corn patch at Jane and Paul's Farm in Norfolk, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/corny-new-england-travel-destination.html

27. Take the Road Less Taken in the New England Autumn:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/taking-road-less-taken-in-new-england.html


28. Enjoy Stowe, Vt., on a budget with these affordable travel attractions: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1619


29. Get in the fall spirit at Parker's Maple Barn in Mason, N.H.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/getting-into-fall-spirit-at-parkers.html

30. New England towns perfect for staying overnight or for an extended time during the New England fall foliage season:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-lodging.html

31. Stroll through Walpole N.H., a quintessential New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland97.html

32. Have fun at The Big E New England States Fair:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/eastern-states-exposition-fair.html

33. Dine by fireside at the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/salemcrossinn.html

34. Hike through some beautiful forest at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/22/hale-reservation-westwood-mass/

35. Gaze at the innate beauty of Echo Lake in Franconia Notch, N.H.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/17/echo-lake-at-foot-of-cannon-mountain-franconia-notch-new-hampshire/

36. Be amazed at the variety of pumpkins available at the Epiphany Church of Walpole Fall Fair in Walpole, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P1080540.jpg

37. Stay at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort in Chittenden, Vt., with its breathtaking views:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/120584.html 

38. Enjoy a fall family vacation at the Red Jacket Mountain View and Indoor Water Park in North Conway, N.H. (in the White Mountains):http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/132021.html

39. Dine at the historic, casual Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, Conn., one of New England most beautiful small towns:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/vanilla-bean-is-good-for-heart.html

40. Stay at the 4-star Inns at the Equinox in charming Manchester, Vt., at the base of Mount Equinox.

41. Visit Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet, R.I., one of the oldest continuously operating country stores in the United States:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland72.html

42. Dine and lodge at the historic Concord's Colonial Inn in Concord, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland84.html

43. Eat at one of the great New England diners -- the Miss Lyndonville Diner -- in Lyndonville, Vt.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/beloved-miss-lyndonville-diner.html. Located in the Northeast Kingdom you're also sure to find some spectacular foliage in this region during the peak season!

44. Visit Jackson, N.H., a truly picturesque, idyllic New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/jackson-New-Hampshire.html

45. Stay a while at picture perfect Chocorua Lake in Tamworth, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/Chocorua-Lake-NH.html

46. Enjoy a family resort vacation at Woodward's in Lincoln, N.H., near many White Mountains attractions:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/126181.html

48. Stroll the Currier and Ives-like downtown in Keene, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland98.html

49. Stop by Phantom Farms in Cumberland, R.I., for some apple picking, fall harvest events, apple cider, and a visit to the yummy bake shop:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/roadside-farm-stand-ri-apples.html

50. Stay at the Lodge of Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine, located in a setting of unspoiled natural beauty:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93783.html

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Travel Tips for Enjoying Fall in New England

Article and photo by Eric H., at VisitingNewEngland.com


Today is the first day of fall and the beginning of many, traditional happy, harvest season times in New England.

Best known for fall festivals, apple picking, a glass of cider and some spectacular fall foliage, New England might not be the only deal in town for the autumn season, but the uniqueness, history and scenic beauty of the area brings out the fall colors that much more. Rumor has it that Humpty Dumpty once had a great fall to make up for a miserable summer here in New England.

All jokes aside, many people prefer the New England fall to the summer. Much of the oppressive humidity and hazy pollution is gone and the more frequent chill in the air brings a refreshing feel. Life seems to slow down and be more reflective, and the Earth becomes more still, like a perfect painting made for repeated viewing.

In a sense, that's the way New England comes across in the fall with its postcard picture-perfect village greens, historic, old towns and cities looking their best, courtesy of the red, orange, and gold colors and tall white church steeples somehow looking better than any time of the year.

Some of my recommended things to do to fully enjoy the fall season:

Take a refreshing 45-minute walk around famous Walden Pond off Route 126 in Concord, MA, enjoying the changes in color and the serene body of water that Henry David Thoreau once had the pleasure of viewing through his quite modest waterfront property from 1845-1847.

Drive the scenic Kanamagus Scenic Byway in the New Hampshire White Mountains, famous for its spectacular fall foliage colors.

Have a picnic high atop the summit of 2,290-foot Pack Monadnock Mountain at Miller State Park (you can either drive or walk it) on Route 101 E in Peterborough, NH. The panoramic views of the scenic countryside, including the 3,165 feet high Mt. Monadnock Mountain. Hiking opportunities also abound for more fall foliage viewing -- the Wapack Trail, a 21-mile footpath that extends from Mt. Watatic in Ashburnham, MA to North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield, NH.

Enjoy the colorful pumpkin displays and the apple orchard at Phantom Farms in Cumberland, RI (2920 Diamond Hill Rd.,
Tel. 401 333-2240) where some cider, a pumpkin mousse roll and a home-baked pie from the bakery will complement your fall day just fine. Phantom Farms also features some very fun fall festival events. Up is the road is Adams Farm (140 Sumner Brown Road, Tel. 401-333-1845) open for a limited time during the fall season, and offering a relaxing country feeling with pumpkins, gourds, apples, cider, caramel apples, a corn maze, hayrides, a picnic area and petting zoo. It's understated, but the simplicity of the area and things to do always brings us back. It's nice that local growth and development here is limited to plant life!

Pick some apples at the Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton, MA, a very charming quintessential town with country roads leading from the downtown. Set admisdt a hilltop orchard, you can pick McIntosh, Liberty, Gala, limited Gravenstein apples, and Cortland. OK, now what you were wondering: There is a winery here, and an upscale gourmet restaurant, as well as a brewery. For many, it doesn't get much better than this!

Enjoy the rest of the Eastern State Exposition (the Big E) running until 10 p.m. on Sept. 28 in West Springfield, MA. It is the largest fair in the northeast and filled with amusements, food vendors, parades, live entertainment, animal displays and horse competitions and the Avenue of States -- replicas of state house buildings in New England that house regional foods, gifts and crafts. Following the Big E is the Topsfield Fair on Route 1 North in Topsfield, MA, America's oldest agricultural fair, running from Oct. 3-13. Highlights include amusements, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police equestrian team, parades, regional foods including fruits and vegetables, milking demonstrations, pumpkin test, a petting farm, racing pigs, home-baked foods and much more.

Experience great cider and rustic traditional Vermont charm, at the Cold Hollow Cider Mill (3600 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Route 100, Tel. 800-327-7537) in Waterbury, VT. The cider is made with a rack and press built in the 1820s and is one of the best we've tasted in New England. The cider donuts aren't bad, either! There's also a fudge-making room, a toy shop and a winery that features Vermont-made wines and hard cider. Of course, you can't beat the fall foliage and true Green Mountains views of the Vermont countryside in Waterbury and neighboring Stowe -- home of Mt. Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont at 4393 ft.

Visit the "Quiet Corner" of northeast Connecticut featuring rolling hills and quaint, little villages that haven't changed much in the past 150 years (although this is not the case with Putnam). With the scenic fall foliage drive through the peaceful towns on Route 169, antique shopping in Putnam, nice inns and country restaurants, the "Quiet Corner" is a nice escape for a fall foliage trip. For lodging, we recommend the Inn at Woodstock Hill, a charming inn built in 1816. The Vanilla Bean Cafe (Tel. 860-928-1562), at the Route 44-169 intersection, in beautiful Pomfret offers a casual atmosphere for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a restored 1800s farmhouse. The Vanilla Bean specializes in coffee, great wraps and sandwiches and really great "blackboard specials" for dinner. The desserts are phenomenal, especially the dense, rich chocolate and carrot cakes!

Walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, MA. It's probably the best time of the year to do so -- minus the humidity and summer crowds -- with flourishes of changing leaves and the 2.5 mile red brick walkway with historic meeting houses, museums, churches and other landmarks including the Boston State House, Old Corner Book Store, Park St. Church, Old South Meeting House, site of the Boston Massacre, the Paul Revere House and Faneuil Hall.

Discover classic Vermont downtowns with a small town feeling and that signature postcard, picture perfect look. Some towns that meet this criteria -- and offer wonderful area fall foliage -- include Woodstock, Newfane, Weston, Wilmington, Stowe (it's becoming a bit more commercial, however) and Brandon. Burlington, beautifully situated on Lake Champlain, is more of a city with a small college town feel (Burlington is home to the University of Vermont), and offers great downtown shopping, restaurants and activities along the lake.

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